They’ve Got A Gorse Outside

The year is off to an excellent start for Heathers who have been busy of late wowing crowds and industry peeps at Eurosonic, appearing on Steve Lamacq’s show (they’re his favourite new band no less!) and basking in the glow of top reviews (Dutch national newspaper NRC raved about the album and dubbed their singing a “modest wonder of the world”)! New single ‘Slices Of Palama’ is out now. The meteoric ascent continues...
In other release news, Ambience Affair have just unveiled ‘Weeds’, the first track to be taken from their as-yet-untitled debut album. It was recorded at Charthouse Studios in Dublin and produced and mixed by Ian Mc Nulty and the band. The combo have finished packing out venues around the country as part of The Certain Three tour with We Cut Corners and Windings. See Live for a front-row report…
Halves kickstart 2011 with new single ‘I Raise Bears’ from the Choice-nominated debut It Goes, It Goes (Forever & Ever). They’re currently at 6/1 to walk off with the glittering prize.
To celebrate, they embark on their first Irish tour with the wonderful Jennifer Evans as support (check hotpress.com) before travelling to North America for Canadian Music Week and SXSW.
‘I Raise Bears’ can be downloaded for free at soundcloud.com/halves/i-raise-bears-featuring...
Louth/Monaghan boys The Flaws release ‘Make Good’, the second single (digital-only) from their second album Constant Adventure on February 11. They play Crawdaddy that night to mark the occasion.
Its predecessor ‘Part Of You’ was chosen as Single of the Week on both Today FM’s Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show and 2fm’s Rick O’Shea Show. It’s also been used to soundtrack the Champions League coverage on RTÉ TV. We expect similar plaudits to be heaped on its follow-up!
Electro-poppers Bitches With Wolves commence 2011 live duties in Whelan’s on February 3. Definitely one for the diary! 2010 saw successful appearances at Oxegen, Electric Picnic and Lovebox in London as well as two shows on Arthur’s Day, supporting Groove Armada and Tinie Tempah…
News from the midwest next… February 2 marks the first long-player of 2011 from Limerick’s Out On A Limb Records. The opus in question is Aliens, the debut album from Owensie, a one-time member of Puget Sound and Terrordactyl and currently guitarist with rock outfit Realistic Train. Recorded by James Eager (Jogging, Enemies, etc) at the Hive Studios, it also features Andy Mooney on percussion, Mick Roe on drums, Julia Mahon on piano, Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh on viola and Paddy Dexter on cello…
Waterford’s Marc O’Reilly has unleashed his debut album My Friend Marx on Salt and Shake records. It’s a slice of energetic folk dappled with splashes of Peter Green, Ray LaMontagne and Gomez-esque stylings. Marc has already impressed audiences at Electric Picnic and warmed up crowds for David Kitt as well as gigging extensively in the US and Australia. Watch out for upcoming Irish dates…
Dubliners Cocophone launch their new EP Special Offers on February 11 in The Academy 2. Comprising Fin Divilly on guitar and vocals and Freya Monks on violin, keyboard and vocals the duo have already made waves by emerging victorious from the Annual Beck’s Band of the Year 2010. Their Whelan’s shows over the last couple of years are the stuff of legend. Get down to the Academy to see if the hype is to be believed…
On a heavier note… D15 metallers Mirrors Of Obsidian have just unleashed debut album Imminent Chaos Complete on their own Neohuman Records. The opus was mastered by underground metal legend Dan Swano and was recorded at Megatech Studios, Dublin. Go to mirrorsofobsidian.bandcamp.com for a preview.